Handling device for handling expendables for a drill rig

Abstract

A handling system for handling expendables for a drill rig arranged for automated handling of the expendables is provided. The handling system includes a pickup mechanism configured to move an expendable back and forth between a magazine of the drill rig for expendables and a loading position within the drill rig, a first outer guide device configured to receive and guide the expendable, optionally grip and hold the trailing portion of the expendable when the expendable is in an outer extreme position, and a second outer guide device provided adjacent the first outer guide device between the first outer guide device and an inner guide device.

1 . A handling system for handling expendables for an underground mining extension drilling drill rig, wherein the handling system comprises:
 a pickup mechanism configured to move an expendable back and forth between a magazine of the drill rig for expendables and a loading position within the drill rig, wherein the expendable in the loading position is aligned with a longitudinal drilling axis of the drill rig such that a drill head of the drill rig is arranged to engage a trailing portion of the expendable to thereby move the expendable along the longitudinal drilling axis towards an outer extreme outer position of the expendable;   a first outer guide device positioned further outwards along the longitudinal drilling axis wherein the first outer guide device is configured to receive and guide the expendable in a plane transverse to the longitudinal drilling axis upon said expendable being fed outwards by the drill head, and configured to optionally grip and hold the trailing portion of the expendable when the expendable is in its outer extreme position; and   a second outer guide device provided adjacent the first outer guide device between the first outer guide device and an inner guide device, wherein the second outer guide device is configured to guide the expendable in a plane transverse to the longitudinal drilling axis, to be laterally disengageable from the expendable, and to be rotatable or otherwise movable out of the way of the drill head once the second outer guide device is disengaged from the expendable.   
     
     
         2 . The handling system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inner guide device positioned to receive a front portion of an expendable in the loading position and configured to optionally hold the expendable such that the expendable is guided in a plane transverse to the longitudinal drilling axis whilst the expendable is allowed to move along the longitudinal drilling axis upon being driven by the drill head. 
     
     
         3 . The handling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first outer guide device includes a first guide screen configured to guide a front portion of the expendable into the first outer guide device as the front portion of the expendable approaches the first outer guide device. 
     
     
         4 . The handling system according to  claim 3 , wherein the first guide screen is frustoconical. 
     
     
         5 . The handling system according to  claim 1 , wherein each one of the first and second outer guide devices includes a respective through recess for receiving an expendable, wherein each through recess is laterally open with respect to the longitudinal drilling axis such that an expendable is movable into and out of the through recess through the lateral opening. 
     
     
         6 . The handling system according to  claim 5 , wherein the first outer guide device and the second outer guide device includes a respective guide member laterally movable into and out of the through recess, and an actuator for controlling the position of the guide member. 
     
     
         7 . The handling system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second outer guide device includes a second guide screen configured to guide a front portion of the expendable into the second outer guide device as the front portion of the expendable approaches the second outer guide device. 
     
     
         8 . The handling system according to  claim 7 , wherein the second guide screen is frustoconical and provided with a lateral opening. 
     
     
         9 . A drill rig system comprising:
 a drill rig; and   a handling system according to  claim 1 .   
     
     
         10 . A drilling vehicle, such as a cutting machine provided with a bolter, a mobile bolter, a bolter car, a bolter miner or a roadheader, comprising a drill rig system according to  claim 9 .